Rangers defender Bruno Alves is being lined up for a shock reunion with Vitoria Guimaraes in a deal which may see him released from the club, according to the Daily Record.
The Scottish newspaper claim that the Portuguese side, with who the 36-year-old powerhouse spent time with on loan from Porto back in 2003, are plotting to try and take the veteran international away from Ibrox, but will have to overcome financial struggles to make the deal happen.
It is said that Alves’ £28,000-a-week wages are a significant stumbling block, and that with a year left on his contract, Rangers could well demand a transfer fee.
However, the possibility of the 95-cap defender being released from his contract in a bid to offset the wages has been mooted, which could include Rangers handing him a fee to leave Ibrox.
Good move for Rangers?
The big issue with Alves is those huge wages and Steven Gerrard will need to judge whether the experienced defender is going to be warranting what he is earning when he takes over.
He did not look too sharp at the heart of defence during his first season with the Light Blues and he will need to improve his performances if he is to live up to expectation.
If getting him off the wage bill opens the opportunity to get new recruits in, then moving him on may work out in the club’s best interests, even if it means spending some money to get him to go.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
It all depends on whether any other clubs come calling for Alves, or whether the Portuguese side are the only ones wanting his capture.
A transfer fee would obviously be beneficial to Rangers and they will likely bide their time, hoping that someone comes in to take him off their hands.
An exit certainly seems a possibility for the veteran this summer but whether paying him off to go is the way they want to do it remains to be seen.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10